Dua for Entering the Toilet and Leaving It: Authentic Hadith

Looking for the dua for entering toilet or bathroom? It is one short line that the Prophet ﷺ said each time he went to relieve himself, and it is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari. A one-word dua for coming out goes with it. Here are both, with the Arabic, the meaning and the source.

The dua for entering toilet: the words of the Prophet ﷺ

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said that whenever the Prophet ﷺ went to answer the call of nature, he would say:

The same words are in Sahih Muslim 375 and again in Sahih al-Bukhari 6322, so this dua is agreed upon by both books.

Why seek refuge before going in

Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

The HadeethEnc explanation of Bukhari 142 says the Prophet ﷺ asked Allah to protect him from the harm of male and female devils when he wanted to enter the place where he relieved himself. It adds that some scholars took khubuth and khaba’ith to mean evil and impurities, so the dua covers both.

The dua for leaving the toilet: Ghufranaka

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that when the Prophet ﷺ came out of the toilet, he would say:

The same report is in Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 7 (Sahih, Darussalam). It is a single word, easy for anyone to learn.

What it means

Among the benefits HadeethEnc draws from Bukhari 142: it is recommended to say this dua when entering the toilet, and a person always depends on his Lord to keep away whatever could harm him, even in the most ordinary places.

Reflection: the hadith do not explain why forgiveness is asked on the way out. What stands out is the shape of the habit: protection is sought on the way in and forgiveness on the way out, so even a few private minutes of the day begin and end with Allah.

How to practise it

• Say the dua as you are about to go in, as the Prophet ﷺ did when he wanted to enter.
• Learn the seven Arabic words with the transliteration above; a small note near the door can help until you know them.
• Say “Ghufranaka” each time you come out.
• Teach both duas to children; they are short enough for a young child to learn.
• The translator’s note on Sunan an-Nasa’i 19 explains that the Arabic word used covers any place where one relieves oneself, not only an indoor toilet.

Questions people ask

Key lessons

• Before entering the toilet, seek refuge in Allah with the words of Bukhari 142.
• This dua is recorded in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
• On coming out, say “Ghufranaka”: I ask for Your forgiveness.
• Both duas are short enough to teach to children.

Part of our Dua series: see all our dua articles in one place.

May Allah protect us wherever we go, and forgive us every time we turn back to Him.

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